Ualá CEO Says Argentina Dollarization ‘Positive’ For Lending

  • Barbieri says dollarization would speed up digital banking
  • Mortgage lending ‘would go up a lot’ in dollarization
Pierpaolo Barbieri, founder and chief executive officer of Uala, speaks during a panel session on day two of the Qatar Economic Forum (QEF) in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.Photographer: Christopher Pike/Bloomberg
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Argentine presidential candidate Javier Milei’s proposal to dollarize the economy would be positive for long-term lending in the country where mortgages are largely inaccessible, according to Pierpaolo Barbieri, chief executive officer of fintech company Ualá.

A dollarization of Argentina’s economy would also likely speed up the country’s shift into digital payments, which has accelerated since the pandemic, Barbieri added. Based in Buenos Aires, fintech Ualá offers a slew of financial services including prepaid cards and lending in Argentina, Mexico and Colombia. In its home country, it also offers investments in mutual funds as well as dollar purchases.